Looting Of Palliatives For Zoos Killed Zookeeper At OAU, Not Lion – Ex-Association Of Zoological Gardens President Claims

Francis Abioye, a former President of the Nigerian Association of Zoological Gardens and Wildlife Parks, has urged President Bola Tinubu to initiate an investigation into the reported misappropriation of COVID-19 palliatives designated for zoos across the country.

In a press statement released on Thursday, Mr Abioye alleged that the neglect of the Zoological Gardens and Wildlife Parks by the relevant institutions should be blamed for the constant attacks on zookeepers by wild animals.

He said Nigeria had lost about three brilliant zookeepers to lion attacks in four years because the gardens lacked safety tools to prevent avoidable deaths.

In February, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife announced the death of a zookeeper in the school by a lion.

According to the school, the zookeeper, identified as Mr Olabode Olawuyi, had been “taking care of the lions since they were born on campus about 9 years ago but, tragically, the male lion killed the man who had been feeding them”.

Regarding the tragic incident, Abioye said, “The incidence of the unfortunate lion attack on late Mr Olawuyi Olabode cannot just skip my mind easily. I kept thinking about his courageous thoughts during his last moment when faced with obvious danger.

“Such uncommon virtue needs to be honoured and celeb responsible nation should celebrated by any responsible nation.

“It was not the lion in the Zoo that killed late Olabode. He only happened to be one of the direct victims of the looted palliative meant for the rehabilitation of our zoos in Nigeria.

“He would probably not have been a victim of such harrowing professional hazard.”

Abioye said Nigeria has “lost at least three zoo keepers to lion attacks in the last four years”.

“Yet, Government is doing nothing to end the recurrence of such unjust harrowing death of our colleagues and friends,” he said.

He noted that the university should not be blamed for Olabode’s death, saying, “There is an erroneous view that the University management was responsible for the tragic incident. Let me make this clarification that the problem is beyond the University management who have been stripped of financial autonomy, who could not employ workers to sensitive Departments and Units due to embargo placed on employment by our politicians.

“The unjust death of the dedicated veterinary staff of the Zoo would not have happened if the government had put the following in place; palliative allocated to the Zoos and Wildlife Parks was released since COVID. Unfortunately, the fund was looted with impunity and the leftover is still being looted by politicians.

“Most nations of the world did not delay in releasing huge palliative to the zoos and Wildlife sector during the COVID because they know the socio-economic importance of the sector to their national economy.

“The United Kingdom has over 350 Zoos and the sector contributes £645m to the UK economy annually. This figure is equivalent to N1.322Trillion which is about the entire budget of Nigerian Education Sector.

“The little money (N200m to N500m) would have changed the narrative of our Zoos if it has been released to reposition all our Zoos in Nigeria and put necessary safety protocols and required working environment in place.

“Instead, the CBN is still mismanaging the COVID-19 palliative to critical sector affected by the covid.

“The Nigerian Zoos and Wildlife Parks as one of the affected industries would have taken many thousands of youths out of joblessness and contribute significantly to our national economic growth through tourism and indirect employment of the trading locals. We must challenge the looters.”

According to the statement, many zoos lack necessary safety equipment, including a dart gun for emergencies.

It was noted that the National Security Adviser to the President was responsible for issuing the license, which had taken over a year to obtain.

He continued: “Lack of justifiable hazard allowance to our Zoo keepers. While I was the National President of NAZAP, I spearheaded the fight for hazard allowance for zoo staff in Imo State but it has been removed now because the government felt it is too much for the staff who are exposed to such high risk.

“Our zookeepers across the nation are still taking unjust risks while working with dangerous wild animals without commensurable hazard allowances till date. “Instead, the legislative arm is earning undeserving hazard allowances for sitting at their convenient days in a conducive legislative Chamber that is well protected and secured. However, our colleagues are allowed to face such professional hazards.

“We have recorded casualties of many zookeepers in Nigeria. The unfortunate thing is that the wives and children they left behind are often abandoned.

“Dear President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Sen Bola Amed Tinubu, please, investigate what happened to COVID-19 palliative meant to strengthen Nigerian zoos industry for the sake of justice.

“Our zoos were already distressed before covid-19 outbreak and no single zoo has recovered from the further devastating impacts of Covid 19.

“We all know what a lion can do whenever a zookeeper makes such a mistake to come in contact with the big cat. So, the action of the lion is expected. What is not expected is the looting of the funds meant to develop all the zoos in Nigeria.

“Also, I appeal to the current National Security Adviser to make it easy for zoos to import dart guns and other safety equipment.

“It is so sad, we lost you! It is painful that Mr Olawuyi Olabode has gone just like that.

“What else can move the oppressors of our nation? When will our nation value his faithful heroes like the late Mr Olawuyi Olabode?

I would have been killed unjustly in line of my conservation duty too if not for God's mercy that rescued me.

“We are losing many good men and women as a consequence of corruption and government failure.

“This sacrificial and heroic death of our friend, colleague and brother should not go unrewarded by our nation. His family must not be abandoned.

“God will raise a positive voice for the family you left behind and console them all.”